Development and Testing of a High-Frequency Driver for a Charge-Exchange Source of Negative Hydrogen Ions

Abstract

A source of negative hydrogen ions based on the recharging of a beam of positive ions in a gas target is being developed  at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. G.I. Budker SB RAS. The charge exchange source can be used to inject into the  tandem accelerator a neutron source intended for boron neutron capture therapy. One of the important elements of the  source is the plasma emitter, which creates positive ions for primary acceleration. As an emitter, a high-frequency driver  based on an induction discharge and designed for a multi-second operating mode was chosen. In this work, we measured  the emission characteristics of a high-frequency driver using a moving grid probe. As a result, the parameters necessary  for the use of the driver in a rechargeable source of negative ions have been achieved. The analysis of experimentally  measured thermal loads in the multisecond mode is carried out.